The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 9:06 pm CDT (02:06 UTC)

Chicago O'Hare International to Boeing Fld/King County International ORD → BFI

1,491 nautical miles (1,716 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 295°, about 298° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 11 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ORD is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots; BFI is VFR, wind calm. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 3 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words

Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of

  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 209 to 288 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 398 nm along the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 586 to 1222 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 646 to 1222 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 924 to 1262 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 16,000 ft. Over the route from 1024 to 1382 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 149 nm of the route.

A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ORD.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • E75L at 14,000 ft, 42 nm south, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): moderate turbulence from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 1153 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MSO UA /OV 32S/TM 2322/FL140/TP E75L/TB MOD 140-210/RM DURC /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through MSO
    Where
    over 32S
    Time
    23:22 UTC
    Height
    at 14,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Turbulence
    moderate from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the climb zlc
  • B39M at 35,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 32 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through IKK
    Where
    over CGT
    Time
    00:29 UTC
    Height
    at 35,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B39M
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    smooth
  • CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 41 nm east, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 41 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through BEH
    Where
    40 nm west (270°) of ELX
    Time
    00:04 UTC
    Height
    at 17,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Turbulence
    none
  • A321 at 32,000 ft, 30 nm south, 8:56 pm CDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. 70 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
    Report
    a routine report filed through RPJ
    Where
    over PLL
    Time
    01:56 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    continuous light
    Remarks
    pocket continuous light turbulence
  • B39M at 34,000 ft, 41 nm north, 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 308 nm along the route, 41 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MSP UA /OV MSP240040/TM 2325/FL340/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through MSP
    Where
    40 nm southwest (240°) of MSP
    Time
    23:25 UTC
    Height
    at 34,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B39M
    Turbulence
    light chop
  • BE20 at 14,000 ft, 21 nm south, 7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 417 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
    Report
    a routine report filed through FSD
    Where
    35 nm north (340°) of FSD
    Time
    00:20 UTC
    Height
    at 14,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BE20
    Turbulence
    continuous light no at 12,000 ft
  • B39M at 35,000 ft, 17 nm north, 6:28 pm CDT (23:28 UTC): light chop turbulence. 507 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ABR UA /OV ABR230015/TM 2328/FL350/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through ABR
    Where
    15 nm southwest (230°) of ABR
    Time
    23:28 UTC
    Height
    at 35,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B39M
    Turbulence
    light chop
  • BCS1 at 3,700 ft, 19 nm south, 8:47 pm CDT (01:47 UTC): snow, rain, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 1153 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0147/FL037/TP BCS1/SK 037/WX SN RA/RM DURD ILS RY 12
    Report
    a routine report filed through MSO
    Where
    over MSO
    Time
    01:47 UTC
    Height
    at 3,700 ft
    Aircraft
    BCS1
    Sky
    at 3,700 ft
    Weather
    snow, rain
    Remarks
    during the descent ils runway 12
  • C25B at 4,100 ft, 19 nm south, 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,100 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 1153 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0036/FL041/TP C25B/SK OVC041/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
    Report
    a routine report filed through MSO
    Where
    over MSO
    Time
    00:36 UTC
    Height
    at 4,100 ft
    Aircraft
    C25B
    Sky
    overcast from 4,100 ft
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent ils runway 12
  • PC12 at 13,500 ft, 48 nm south, 8:08 pm CDT (01:08 UTC): no turbulence, a trace of icing, overcast from 9,000 ft to 13,500 ft, -10 °C. 1352 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PSC UA /OV PSC360025/TM 0108/FL135/TP PC12/SK OVC090-TOP135/TA M10/TB NEG /IC TRACE RM 135-090
    Report
    a routine report filed through PSC
    Where
    25 nm north (360°) of PSC
    Time
    01:08 UTC
    Height
    at 13,500 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    overcast from 9,000 ft, tops 13,500 ft
    Temperature
    −10 °C
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    trace remarks from 13,500 ft to 9,000 ft
  • SB20 at 16,000 ft, 20 nm north, 8:52 pm CDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 20 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PAE UA /OV PAE075045/TM 0152/FL160/TP SB20/SK TOP120/RM ZSE
    Report
    a routine report filed through PAE
    Where
    45 nm east (075°) of PAE
    Time
    01:52 UTC
    Height
    at 16,000 ft
    Aircraft
    SB20
    Sky
    TOP120
    Remarks
    zse
  • A321 at 13,500 ft, 40 nm south, 8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 40 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SEA UA /OV SEA120045/TM 0154/FL135/TP A321/SK TOP130/RM ZSE
    Report
    a routine report filed through SEA
    Where
    45 nm southeast (120°) of SEA
    Time
    01:54 UTC
    Height
    at 13,500 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Sky
    TOP130
    Remarks
    zse
  • PC12 at 15,000 ft, 40 nm south, 7:42 pm CDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 40 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL150/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
    Report
    a routine report filed through YKM
    Where
    50 nm west (270°) of YKM
    Time
    00:42 UTC
    Height
    at 15,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    TOP130
    Remarks
    zse
  • PC12 at 13,000 ft, 40 nm south, 7:42 pm CDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 40 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL130/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
    Report
    a routine report filed through YKM
    Where
    50 nm west (270°) of YKM
    Time
    00:42 UTC
    Height
    at 13,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    TOP130
    Remarks
    zse

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed

The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 15 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, LSE, MCW, FSD, ABR, PIR, DIK, MLS, BIL, GTF, GPI, GEG, YKM, SEA). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft120° at 5 kt−6 kt4 °C126 kt11 h 50 min6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC)
6,500 ft140° at 3 kt−4 kt9 °C124 kt12 h 01 min7:07 am PDT (14:07 UTC)
8,500 ft200° at 4 kt−1 kt5 °C121 kt12 h 19 min7:25 am PDT (14:25 UTC)
10,500 ft220° at 9 kt+2 kt1 °C118 kt12 h 38 min7:44 am PDT (14:44 UTC)
12,500 ft220° at 13 kt+6 kt-1 °C114 kt13 h 05 min8:11 am PDT (15:11 UTC)
14,500 ft230° at 16 kt+8 kt-5 °C112 kt13 h 19 min8:25 am PDT (15:25 UTC)
16,500 ft230° at 19 kt+11 kt-9 °C109 kt13 h 41 min8:47 am PDT (15:47 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180230° at 21 kt+13 kt-13 °C107 kt13 h 56 min9:02 am PDT (16:02 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240240° at 28 kt+20 kt-23 °C100 kt14 h 55 min10:01 am PDT (17:01 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300240° at 35 kt+25 kt-36 °C95 kt15 h 42 min10:48 am PDT (17:48 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340250° at 42 kt+35 kt-43 °C85 kt17 h 32 min12:38 pm PDT (19:38 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390260° at 52 kt+48 kt-48 °C72 kt20 h 42 min3:48 pm PDT (22:48 UTC)

Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.

The forecast points as issued
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
JOTused from 0 nm out; 39 nm from the line230/11290/12 16°300/19 10°320/19 4°300/17 -9°330/31 -20°320/49 -37°320/53 -45°320/67 -49°
DBQused from 50 nm out; 57 nm from the line220/23240/22 16°240/24 10°260/18 5°270/16 -8°290/27 -19°310/42 -35°320/55 -44°300/71 -52°
LSEused from 149 nm out; 46 nm from the line220/33250/29 17°250/15 9°260/12 6°280/21 -9°280/33 -20°300/43 -36°310/56 -45°300/79 -53°
MCWused from 199 nm out; 37 nm from the line200/35240/33 18°250/20 10°260/10 6°270/18 -8°260/28 -19°280/30 -34°290/49 -43°280/70 -54°
FSDused from 348 nm out; 60 nm from the line200/16220/20 17°240/26 13°230/19 6°240/25 -9°240/28 -20°250/39 -33°250/44 -43°260/63 -52°
ABRused from 447 nm out; 41 nm from the line030/24220/5 16°230/18 12°230/32 5°240/38 -10°250/37 -20°240/40 -35°240/56 -44°250/72 -52°
PIRused from 547 nm out; 56 nm from the lineL/V 17°230/13 12°220/22 6°250/31 -9°250/34 -21°240/50 -35°230/61 -43°240/62 -51°
DIKused from 646 nm out; 64 nm from the line110/15 6°200/17 5°230/31 1°240/47 -10°240/52 -20°230/52 -36°240/57 -45°250/67 -51°
MLSused from 745 nm out; 47 nm from the line120/22 5°170/18 4°200/33 1°230/49 -10°230/58 -21°220/54 -37°230/64 -44°250/74 -49°
BILused from 895 nm out; 51 nm from the line080/24130/14 -1°180/33 0°210/43 -10°220/58 -21°200/55 -36°220/75 -44°240/83 -48°
GTFused from 994 nm out; 42 nm from the line070/21080/18 -6°120/5 -5°180/30 -14°200/53 -24°210/80 -38°220/83 -44°230/68 -46°
GPIused from 1143 nm out; 64 nm from the line060/19 -3°110/11 -8°130/6 -8°200/40 -19°190/58 -28°200/101 -39°220/73 -43°230/41 -43°
GEGused from 1242 nm out; 33 nm from the line050/18 -2°060/19 -8°L/V -11°160/11 -24°190/17 -31°200/19 -35°220/14 -37°250/11 -41°
YKMused from 1391 nm out; 57 nm from the line030/16020/18 0°030/30 -8°030/23 -13°020/40 -23°010/73 -29°010/54 -36°360/29 -37°330/16 -40°
SEAused from 1441 nm out; 26 nm from the line360/9350/10 1°010/10 -5°030/20 -11°020/60 -17°010/86 -26°360/90 -40°010/68 -42°360/31 -43°

The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
ORD Chicago, IL departure VFR from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 680 ft 8:51 pm CDT (01:51 UTC)
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL 50 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet calm 10+ mi none 742 ft 01:54 UTC
AEL Albert Lea, MN 258 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 27,000 feet, a broken layer at 31,000 feet from the south (180°) at 10 knots 10+ mi 31,000 ft 1,261 ft 01:55 UTC
JYG St James, MN 318 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 1,067 ft 01:55 UTC
MBG Mobridge, SD 586 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots 10+ mi 1,200 ft 1,716 ft 01:52 UTC
LEM Lemmon, SD 656 nm out, 14 nm north of the line no report just now 2,572 ft
MLS Miles City, MT 815 nm out, 7 nm north of the line IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet Weather: rain, mist from the east-northeast (060°) at 9 knots 4 mi 700 ft 2,634 ft 01:53 UTC
RPX Roundup, MT 924 nm out, 12 nm south of the line no report just now 3,490 ft
MSO Missoula, MT 1153 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,300 feet Weather: light snow, mist calm 6 mi 2,300 ft 3,205 ft 01:53 UTC
GEG Spokane, WA 1302 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots 10+ mi 6,000 ft 2,385 ft 01:53 UTC
MWH Moses Lake, WA 1372 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet from the east (080°) at 4 knots 10+ mi 9,000 ft 1,188 ft 01:52 UTC
BFI Seattle, WA destination VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet calm 10+ mi none 21 ft 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,490 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At BFI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for BFI
  • From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
  • From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
  • From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ORD, the departure
  • From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
  • From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at BFI 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm PDT (01:58 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BFI is before sunrise there (7:23 am PDT (14:23 UTC)).

Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.

Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the northern Rockies
Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the Pacific Northwest
Radar now, the Pacific Northwest · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Chicago O'Hare International, Boeing Fld/King County International.